Kosova Daily Report #1486, 98-07-10

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From: Kosova Information Center <http://www.kosova.com/>

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1486
Prishtina, 10 July 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova's Press Conference

[02] President Rugova Receives German and Turkish Ambassadors

[03] Dr. Rugova Decides Whether U^K Will Be Directly or Indirectly Represented in Talks, Rubin Says

[04] Frontal Serb Attack in Border Area, along the De^an-Gjakova Roadway

[05] Serbian Shelling of De^an Area Resumes

[06] Serb Forces Shoots Dead Local Albanian in Gllogovc

[07] Serb Sources Say Many Albanians Killed in Border Area with Albania

[08] Serb Police Claims It Has Arrested Large Number of Albanians Lately

[09] Over 60 Serb Mortars Hit Gremnik Village of Klina Friday

[10] Whereabouts of Albanians Abducted by Serbs Unknown

[11] Four Albanian Houses Burned in Frash&r Village of Mitrovica

[12] Displaced Women Urge U.S. and UNCHR Assist Them Have Safe Return Home

[13] Serb Court in Peja Institutes Criminal Investigations to Six Albanians

[01] President Rugova's Press Conference

Speaking at a regular press conference in Prishtina, Rugova said the current situation in Kosova is extremely grave and dangerous, because "the brutal crackdown of Serb forces on Kosova villages has been continuing". He singled out as a very dangerous spot the village of Loxh& and the suburbs of the town of Peja ('Pec'), where there were killed and wounded early this week.

President Ibrahim Rugova called for international protection for Kosova and its people. He reiterated his position that an independent Kosova, with all guarantees for local Serbs, is the best solution, with an international civil protectorate as an interim stage pending a lasting settlement.

Asked to comment on the work of the six-nation Contact Group, which met Wednesday to review the situation in Kosova, Rugova said "we have urged for the Group to assess the implementation of the measures adopted in earlier meetings".

We, of course, urge this Group to do more on Kosova", the President said. "We will treat the proposals put forward by the Contact Group as we treat the proposals of all other groups on the resolution of the Kosova issue.". The people of Kosova and its leadership have been steadfast, "have been working on the attainment of independence for Kosova as well as an international protectorate, as an interim stage,", President Ibrahim Rugova stressed.

In the current re-arrangements in this part of Europe, independence for Kosova is the solution that would stabilize and calm down the entire region, he said in reply to a question.

Asked by a foreign reporter whether the Kosova side would reject the peace plan of the Contact Group on Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova said the Kosova leadership welcomes and supports steps towards a peaceful resolution. "The best solution is independence for Kosova, which should be supported by the Contact Group, too", President Ibrahim Rugova said.

The international observer mission in Kosova is useful and important, but the Kosova leadership calls for other steps in order to protect the people of Kosova, Rugova concluded.

[02] President Rugova Receives German and Turkish Ambassadors

The German ambassador briefed Rugova on the conclusions and proposals of the Bonn Contact Group meeting of this week.

The President said he appreciated the work of the Contact Group heretofore, and called for the six-nation Group to step up efforts to implement its demands from earlier meetings.

Putting in practice the requirements of the earlier Contact Group meetings would avert a further escalation of Serbian violence and create the appropriate environment for substantial negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade, Ibrahim Rugova pointed out.

In the meeting with Wilfried Gruber, the German Ambassador, as well the Turkish Ambassador to Belgrade, Alev Kili^, Rugova described the situation in Kosova as very grave and extremely dangerous amidst the brutal Serbian military and police operations against the Albanian population.

Tens of thousands of Albanians have been turned into refugees or internally- displaced persons in Kosova, President Rugova said, adding that an urgent international intervention is needed to end Serbian war operations and pave the way for a negotiated resolution of the Kosova issue.

The Turkish Ambassador Kili^ said Turkey, as a country in the region and a member of NATO, is very concerned about the developments in Kosova and supports an equitable and negotiated resolution in Kosova.

Mr. Kili^ delivered President Rugova an invitation by the Turkish Foreign Minister to visit Turkey.

[03] Dr. Rugova Decides Whether U^K Will Be Directly or Indirectly Represented in Talks, Rubin Says

The United States recognizes Ibrahim Rugova as the legitimate leader of the Kosovar Albanians, Rubin said.

The State Dept spokesman added that the negotiations for peace should include "a wide cross section of Kosovar Albanian opinion, and whether it is direct or indirect ought to be up to Dr. Rugova, not us."

Rubin said that the U.S. maintains that "indirectly or directly their (the KLA's) views ought to be covered...and it's up to Dr. Rugova to decide who will join him" in any negotiations for a peaceful settlement in Kosova.

James Rubin emphasized that the US goal for Kosova is not its independence but "an enhanced autonomy" in which Kosovar Albanians may enjoy their "legitimate rights."

Just what this 'enhanced autonomy' and 'legitimate rights' means was not clear from Rubin's remarks, besides the fact that Kosova would remain within the 'FRY', which is in contradiction to the expressed will of the people of Kosova.

"Very Fruitful Effort", Says Member of Kosova Observer Mission

PRISHTINA, July 10 (KIC) - "Today the U.S. Component of the Kosovo Observers began their mission. We were joined by observers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United Kingdom.", LT COL John Freely, the U.S. member of the Kosova Observer Mission said in a statement issued July 9th, circulated by the USIS-Prishtina.

"Although only a beginning, this joint was very fruitful. Under the Kosovo Observer Mission mandate, we were able to travel into areas that, previously, our diplomatic counterparts were unable to travel.", Mr. Freely said, adding that their freedom of movement was at no time impeded by the official police. "During the tour we did identify areas which need further observation. These include humanitarian relief and displaced persons.", LT COL John Freely concluded.

[04] Frontal Serb Attack in Border Area, along the De^an-Gjakova Roadway

Local Albanian resistance forces, including the U^K, have been putting up a fierce resistance.

Serb forces were aided today morning by Serb military helicopter gunships, as usual with Red Cross signs, local sources said.

Reports said Serbian forces have been using heavy artillery in their frontal attack against the villages of Smolic&, Morin&, Nec, Stub&ll, Berjah and further towards the huge village of Junik, in the municipality of De^an.

There have been no reported casualties. The material damage is presumed to be immense.

Serb forces were seen transporting damaged combat vehicles across the town of Gjakova today.

Reports said heavy fighting was going on today along the Gjakov&- De^an roadway. Serb helicopter gunships have been reported involved in these operations.

Heavy Serb police forces, on buses, trucks trailing heavy artillery have been arriving in the town of Gjakova since morning today, local sources said, noting that police have been patrolling the town now and then. Some of the police personnel has been deployed in the Serb military garrison in Gjakova, whereas the erst reportedly headed to the Reka e Keqe region.

A considerable number of Serb policemen, backed up by two armored vehicles, have blockaded the Ura e Fshejt& (the Sacred Bridge) on the Gjakov&-Prizren roadway since the morning today.

Of the many Albanians arrested in Gjakova, two of them - Bashkim Efendiu and Astrit Beqa - remain in police custody in the town, whereas the erst have been transferred to the Peja prison, sources said.

[05] Serbian Shelling of De^an Area Resumes

Fighting between Serbian troops and local Albanian resistance forces was reported in the village of Strellc i Ep&rn after midnight. In the early hours of today, Serbs shelled the village.

A number of houses has been damaged by the shelling. No casualties were reported.

Shelling by Serbian forces and fighting was reported in the region of Vokshi today. The extent of damage or casualty-toll is not known.

Serbian air jets and helicopters flew overhead the area in the municipality of De^an from 6:00 through 8,00 in the morning today.

Sources from De^an, citing accounts by local people, said information was lacking about the fate of some Albanian guards of private wharehouses in the vicinity of the village of Loxh&, near Peja.

It is suspected that the guards, four to five of them, have been killed by Serb forces and dumped into the ditches along the road.

[06] Serb Forces Shoots Dead Local Albanian in Gllogovc

Sources in Gllogovc said Ali Dibrani, father of three, resident of Ferronikeli neighbourhood in Gllogovc, was killed yesterday afternoon while on his way home.

His niece, Hafie Dibrani, who was together with Ali Dibrani when he was gunned down by Serbs, told the LDK chapter in Gllogovc the police opened fire without warning. Hanife and her uncle laid down immediately and crawled for several minutes. "My uncle got tired and he could not crawl any longer," she said. But once he got up, the police gunned him down.

Hanife Dibrani said her uncle was hit in his head. She attempted to help her wounded uncle, but could do nothing as the police kept shooting in her direction, Hanife said.

The family and relatives of Ali Dibrani were only able to collect the body during the evening hours yesterday.

The Ferrous-Nickel 'Feronikeli' mines and plants compounds in the outskirts of Gllogovc has been turned into a huge Serb forces bases for over tow months now. Serb snipers positioned in the key places around the mines as well as in the town of Gllogovc itself have been on a daily basis shooting at local population and passers-by.

The LDK Information Commission in Gllogovc said Nazif Qorri and Jahir Qorri, both employees with the local railway station in Gllogovc, were fired upon by Serbs Wednesday afternoon.

They made a narrow escape, without being hit. A bullet hit a bag Nazif Qorri had in his hand, the Commission said.

The Serbs manning the bases in Feronikeli have been routinely shooting in the direction of shepherds in the area, killing often their cattle.

Serb Policemen Breaks Arms and Cuts Ear of Albanian in Komoran PRISHTINA, July 10 (KIC) - Fazli Kastrati (42), resident of Nekoc village of Gllogovc, was reported tortured badly by Serb policemen on Wednesday. He had both his arms broken and a part of his ear cut, the LDK chapter in Gllogovc said.

The LDK chapter said Fazli Kastrati, a mentally retarded man, was on his way to the medical center in Komoran when he was halted by a Serb police patrol, who beat him brutally without any pretext whatsoever.

Sources in Komoran said most of the resident of Komoran, those living near the checkpoint on the Peja-Prishtina road and near the village streets, have fled homes amidst continued buildup of Serb forces. The few families who have been still staying in their homes have been subjected to brutal treatment and intimidation.

On July 6, the Serb police in an armored car intruded into the courtyard of Hasan Cakiqi, maltreating his family under the pretext of allegedly harboring U^K in his house.

[07] Serb Sources Say Many Albanians Killed in Border Area with Albania

Early morning today, near V&rmic&, west of Prizren, two Albanians were killed in an attack by Serbian forces.

Serb sources report of, as the put it, many Albanians killed and wounded during clashes between the 'Yugoslav' border troops and some 30 Albanians near the village Koshare, north-west of Gjakova, at around 21:30 hrs on Thursday.

Serb sources reported that two Albanians were killed and one wounded early in the morning on Thursday near the Qafa e Prushit border post. The Albanians were killed while illegally crossing the border and bringing in weapons, the Serbs sources claimed.

LDK sources in Prizren, Gjakova and De^an have reported about Serbian attacks in the border area in the past two days.

[08] Serb Police Claims It Has Arrested Large Number of Albanians Lately

Quoting a Serb police statement, the Belgrade-based Nasa Borba daily said a group of Kosovar Albanians was arrested on 6 July in the region of Peja, western Kosova. The Albanians were on their way to Albania, the newspaper said. They had large amounts of hard currency with themselves and they intended to buy weapons in Albania, Nasa Borba writes.

The Serb media said that several Albanians were rounded up in the Gjakova municipality lately. Hajdar Podrimja, his brother Vllaznim Podrimja, Ms Gjuke Memaj, and Arben Saliuka were arrested on 8 July. According to the Nasa Borba, the four Albanians were involved in collecting weapons, medical supplies, and food for armed groups.

Meanwhile, sources in Shtime said Raif Rashiti, head of the municipal Financial Council, was arrested. He was taken to the Serb police station in Ferizaj.

[09] Over 60 Serb Mortars Hit Gremnik Village of Klina Friday

The LDK chapter in Klina said the Serb attack on Gremnik began at around 5:00 in the morning today. At least 60 mortars hit the houses and farmsteads in the villages during a 2-hour shelling.

Enormous material damage was caused in the village, the LDK said, adding that it could not learn still about possible human casualties.

At around midday, the Serb forces in armored vehicles attempted to advance into the village. They backed off, having encountered a fierce resistance by local defense forces, sources said.

[10] Whereabouts of Albanians Abducted by Serbs Unknown

The whereabouts of three Albanians - Nimon Bajraktari (51), Haki Ahmetgjekaj (23) and Bashkim Mehmetaj (22) - abducted the same day are still unknown, the LDK chapter in Klina said today. They were separated from the group at Gorazhdec village and taken to an unknown destination, witnesses have said.

The LDK Information Commission in Klina has learned that the seven Albanians being held in Serb custody in Peja have been subjected to outrageous torture.

[11] Four Albanian Houses Burned in Frash&r Village of Mitrovica

The farmsteads of Ruhan, Rexhep, Behram and Kadri Tahiri were reported burned at around 19:00 hrs Thursday.

Serb paramilitary thugs then opened fire in the direction of the villages of Pantin& and Okrashtic&, local sources said.

[12] Displaced Women Urge U.S. and UNCHR Assist Them Have Safe Return Home

The displaced women from Bardhi (Bella^evc), Hade, Lajthishta (Leskoshiq) and other villages urged the US representative in Prishtina to assist in securing a safe return of displaced Albanians to their homes.

A delegation of women was received for talks by the Director of the USIS Office in Prishtina, Richard Huckaby.

The women also visited the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Prishtina, where they called for help so that they can return safely to their homes.

The villages of Bardhi and Hade near the open-pit coal mine near Fush& Kosova came under heavy Serb attacks on 29 June. Virtually all the local residents fled homes in panic, fearing possible massacres, the kind of atrocities Serb forces committed in other pats of Kosova earlier this year.

[13] Serb Court in Peja Institutes Criminal Investigations to Six Albanians

The Serb media said investigations have been instituted against Agim Buza (32), Fleurent Lipoveci (32), Argjent Pulani (22) and Enver Lleshi (30). The Serb authorities accuse them of involvement in hostile activity. They have "encouraged Albanians to join the ranks of the Liberation Army of Kosova (U^K)", the Serb newspaper Nasa Borba said.

The newspaper said that investigations have been also instituted against Nazim Zejnaj (28) from Rr&zniq in De^an, and Met& Ademaj (50) from Raushiq in Peja.

Nazim Zenaj and Met& Ademaj are being held in Serb police, Nasa Borba said, but if failed to say if the four Albanians from Gjakova were detained or still at large.

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